Next West test: the red-hot Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. If thumping the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins leads to a letdown, maybe the Predators will be in good shape when they take on the Sharks here tomorrow.

San Jose's Jamie McGinn and former Predator Jed Ortmeyer celebrate McGinn's goal against the Penguins on Saturday. (AP photo)

After all, the Los Angeles Kings whipped Pittsburgh 5-2 last Thursday before falling to the Predators 3-1 on Saturday. The Sharks blasted the Penguins 5-0 on Saturday, so we’ll see how they react to that big victory tomorrow.

San Jose is the hottest team in the league right now, having gone 7-0-1 in its last eight games. The Sharks have only surrendered seven goals (and one shootout goal) in their last seven outings.

As for the Predators, they were off on Sunday after winning for the fourth time in five games. Nashville gets back to practice today at 12:30 p.m. (Central time) at the Shark Tank, so we’ll send out a post-practice update this afternoon.

Coach Barry Trotz said he’ll have a good idea today whether J.P. Dumont (upper body) will be able to play in one or both of the final two games of this road trip, which culminates Thursday in St. Louis.